By Isaac Owusu
SPECIAL TO SPORTSNET.CA
DUNEDIN, FL – Chris Peters came from a uniquely named city and went to a uniquely named high school, so it only makes sense that his skillset is, well, unique.
The 24-year-old Toronto Blue Jays minor leaguer who attended Tippecanoe High School in Tipp City, Ohio knows that versatility enhances survival in baseball.
He’s trained himself to play many positions on the diamond – shortstop, third base, second base, and left field.
“I wasn’t a high prospect and I understand that,” Peters said, after a spring workout at the Bobby Mattick Training Center.
“I know I’m not going to be the go-to guy each day, so I gotta find a way to get on the field, and I want to do that.
“That’s what I set myself out to do, to just find a way on the field and keep playing. Live the dream as long as I can.”
At only 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, he is used to being looked over. A walk-on at the University of Cincinnati, where he spent four years, he signed with the Jays on June 12, 2011 after going undrafted.
For the Ohio native, spending 28 games last season playing in Lansing, Mich., for the Single-A Lugnuts was very much a welcomed opportunity.
“Getting that call up was great, as soon as I found I got the call up I looked up the schedule to see when they were going to Dayton (to play the Dragons),” Peters said with a bright smile.
“I called my mom and told her ‘Hey you know that Lansing plays in Dayton at the end of the month?’ And she goes ‘Yeah, why?’ And I said I’m going to be there, you probably should come.”
For as long as he’s played, Peters has been at a size disadvantage, but kept a chip on his shoulder.
“I’ve always had the mentality that you have to outwork everyone else. It doesn’t matter the situation, it doesn’t matter if they’re bigger, stronger or faster,” he said.
“You [have to] work as hard or even better, especially as a small guy…I have to get noticed. In high school, when I was 16-years-old my license said I was 5-foot 3, 125 pounds.”
Sizing up his future
Peters wants what any player in the minors craves, a shot at the big leagues, but more than anything he’s focused on holding his own in spring training.
“That’s the biggest thing, just figuring out what I gotta do to stand out. I pride myself on always trying to learn more about the game and being around it as long as I can.”
Although versatile, Peters remains keen on improving.
“I’ve always been a shortstop growing up, but it’s always fun to go out and learn and play something different,” he said.
“Since I’ve stepped into pro ball, I’ve become more of a second baseman, a little third and some outfield.”
For a successful 2013 campaign Peters knows what it will take to stand out.
“I have to learn to bring my consistent swing, day in and day out,” he said. “I went to the batting cages, and I did it repetitively.”
Peters doesn’t know which field he will play on, and where he will line up. But the multi-talented minor leaguer is ready for any situation.
